a. and sb. Zool. [f. mod.L. Cottus name of a genus of fishes + -OID.] Belonging to a family of fishes of which the type is Cottus, a genus related to the ‘Miller’s thumb.’ As sb. A fish of this family.
1854. R. Owen, in Circ. Sc. (c. 1865), II. 96/2. Percoids, sciænoids, cottoids.
